The National tribune., 1887-08-04

and 5fh Bucl1tails, and Sharpshooters 2d and |
1st These were in rfe-pits most OF the time, /
she 10th ON color front The 9th was held IN
Foserve on the left the 4th on The right The /
last-namod regiment supported Eastons ia. /
Res Art In the afternoon. AT the crossing /
near Ellison's Mil the 18th was posted IN |
strong position, supported by section OF Coop |
er'sbattcry under Lieut. Fullerton and short |
distance from the mill by Smead's battery, 9th |
Art under Lieut. Van Reed and Easton's /
battery, all light l2-pounders,l which covered |
the road far i'm advance. The center was |
strongly protected by Capt. DE Harts battery |
aud section OF Keu's battery. The right of
tie road was held by the 9th with the right |
section Of Smeadas battery and the remaining
four guns of Cooper. The other guns Of Kern's
battery were on the extreme right.
AFTER THE BATTLE OPENED
Martindale's and Grifliu's Brigades were
brought forward and deployod 10 the right Of
the line in the direction of Shady Grove, where
there was danger Of flank movement by the
enemy. The line was strong one, and able
TO withstand an attack from a much larger
force but, of course could hardly be expected
90 successfully 0ppose the great body Of the
enemy which soon swept down upon il.
As the C0nfederates crossed the open ground |
they were treated freely to shot and shell,
which plowed Sheir way numerically and
INCREASINGLY through their ranks. The fire
from Lieut.. Van Reeds guns was SO effective
that that part OF the enemy's line receiving
ii broke IN disorder and fed 10 the rear. Skir-
mishen were thrown out and soon aiterward
artillery came into position and by o'clock
the battle became general
ALONG TIE ENTIRE LINK.
The regiments near the crossings fought
brayely aud well. They bore the brunt Of the
attack, and sustained their well learned reputa-
Zion i0r courage and daring. The rebels made /
repeated attempts 20 cross, but were unable TO
stand the destructive fire which met them, and /
were obliged to withdraw On the right the /
cd (Iieut-COl. McCandless) held a ford in spite /
Of persistent efforts on the part Of the enemy 10
capture it, After considerable fighting the left
OF The division line was hard pressed, and was
reinforced by portion of the Second Brigade
and Edwards's battery, Sd U. s Arts of six B
inch rifles.
The firing was quite heavy during the after
noon, and did not cease entirely until late IA
the eveuing-until it got so dark that it was
useless 10 continue IT, Our men lay upon their
arms, the Confederates doing the same. Dur
ing the night a detail Of the enemy was en-
gagged IN moving the wounded and burying the
dead Of their army. The loss Of the COnfed-
crates
MUST HAVE BEEN HEAVY,
as they were exposed 10 q murderous FIRE most
OF the time.
Before morning orders were received 20 with
draw from the position which the men had SO
vaiianty defended Believing, however, that
The right flank was Ia danger of being turned,
and that the enemy had concentrated a large
force for the purpose the division left the place
without reluctance. The movement on the |
right was under the direction OF Gen. Reynolds |
who plnccd the Buoktails, commanded by Maj. |
Stone, Ia position as the Tear-guard. The 9th /
tCol JaclzsOn) performed similar service on the |
left under the supervision Of Gen. Seymour.
Just about daylight the firing was resumed |
l...aI - A.. IL
3th relieved the 18th, and took its place In the
pits. This movements strange as il may seem, |
was carried ont successfully with bnt slight loss |
This regiment held the position until the main /
body Of the troops had been Withdrawn, when I
IL retired, and during the first mile Of the re-
treat was
HARAssED BY TIE ENENY's FIRE
The reason the Confedcrates did not press the |
reiEcaiiug line more porsistently was un-
douhtealy on account of the manner in which !
they ind been received the day before.
During this retreat the brigade Of COL Soy- |
mour uid excellent service. Gen. Porter says |
huns the last 10 start and that force under it, gal
liant and sziliiul commander. most coolly retired /
covering the march of the other forces occupy
ing iile attention. Of the Zoe perfectly thai ample
time was allowed Tor all, horse foot and artillery
MhEoiie and wounded, % reach their designated 4
moved from the works we were about 10 nlBan- 4
oon-Norics overlooking New Bndge-and during 1
Il
Ainf3 service by the hrc irom Smiths position be-
yona tllc Cllichalonniny.
While on the march to Gaines's Mil, Col. |
George =. Hays, commanding the 9Th Pa Re- /
serves was ordered by Gen. Mccall 10 sup /
port two Regular batteries that were then en- 1
gagged. He did so for about an hour, when |
Col. Warren, OF the 9th n. y, asked for assist |
ance Iu
REPErLTEG AE ATTACK.
HaA oderec 70 assist II Gen. Mccall would /
give his consent That being obtained, he /
moved in line Of battle toward tho enemy and |
when within 100 yards OF their line charged IL |
IN gallant style, driving the C0nfederates back 1
some distance. This movement enabled Col. /
Warren 70 extricate his regiment from the per-
llohE position In which 1t was al the time Col /
Hays came 10 bis aid.
The greatest loss was sustained by the 18Th /
Pa Reserves, commanded by Maj. Stone This |
wac one ol the organizations that did great |
service on that eEeutful day. il Is safe TO say
that this regiment did much toward holding
The position 70 which it with other regiments
oi the division, was assigned. The mon showed
perslsieney and determination uEexcelled /
Those who were dep0yed Az administers
Sought equally ~ well as those in the rile-pita,
Ana heia tlcir IRE until u could be delivered
WITH TELLING EFFECT.
Lariy IN the day the three brieades had
reached a position four miles from the battle
ground, where they were formed as q reserve
70 the INC oi battle, which consisted Of the re-
malbder oi The corps. hOtwithstandinR the
severe IRE from the enemy during the day the
loHa was slight, owing 10 the fact that the men
were well protected on most Of the line by tie
mature of the ground and their otherwise aa-
~alsiafeouf position.
ln Gen. seymOur's report Of this battle he
speaks 81 the courage and ability displayed
~ Asl. stone; of the intelligence shown in
the selecli0n OF hiE position and MANY true
foialcIlF qualities exhibited by him during
The engagement uc bestowed similar praise
on CO.. Simmons. Col. Taggan Of tie 18th
also came Ia for a full share Of praise for the
gsiisnt manner IN which be held the crossing
on toe ieii as Ellison'e Mil, where lac repulsed
the attacks Of the COnfoderates IN a successful
anl brilliant manner. Col Jackson OF Che 9th
recnigoN credit fGF the excellent Judgment he
displayed in relieving the 18th, and for The
lnasterly manner 81 which he covered tie re-
troai % 0aincs's MIL Col Roberts and Col.
Mesan4less on the right received favorable
menilon iof the efficiency they disDlayed In
opposing the enemy in his attempt TO
F0RcE THAT PART OF TnE LINE.
Auch 0t the credit for the success that at
tenael me division during this battle Il due 70
t5ea- i-el solos. Cor il was througk his efforts
that tne preparations were made and carried
out iQf fllc reception Of the enemy's advance
1cn. seymour saye that this was done even 70
tac smallest detail, and In such a manner IA 10